An encouraging report from a major new study concludes that many fishing stocks in Europe are being fished at a more sustainable rate, compared with previous decades.

Many past studies have pointed to depleting fish stocks around the world.

An encouraging report from a major new study concludes that many fishing stocks in Europe are being fished at a more sustainable rate, compared with previous decades.
Fish populations in the northeast Atlantic Ocean are showing a recovery in their numbers, because of industry reforms that took effect in 2002.
Co-author of the study, Doctor Paul Fernandes from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom said: “Contrary to common perception, the status of our fish stocks is improving. Many of our stocks are not overfished; nature now needs to take its course for these fish to rebuild their populations.”
Some fish populations are still in danger, for example the supply of cod is still vulnerable to over fishing.
And a few researchers are skeptical of just how sustainable the fish stocks are.
The European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy that handles regulations in the fishing industry has been going through reform negotiations this year.
One of the controversial issues on the table is phasing out the dumping of unwanted fish.
Because of catch limits being strictly enforced, fish that would find their way to the black market are being discarded instead.